It's been less than two months since Hurricane Idalia flooded the tourist town of Crystal River. Now, Mother Nature deals the Citrus County community another blow - a tornado.
CRYSTAL RIVER, FL (352today.com) – Residents in the tourist town of Crystal River have barely begun to recover from Hurricane Idalia. Now less than two months after the hurricane’s Hell and high water, Mother Nature has unleashed another fury – a tornado in pre-dawn hours.
Once the sun came up, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Tampa dispatched a crew to survey the damage.
NWS preliminary data indicates an EF-2 tornado hit the Citrus County community early this morning, Thursday, Oct. 12. EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale indicates wind speeds between 111 to 135 mph.
Weather weary emergency crews have been clearing roads, assessing damage and coordinating aid to impacted residents.
RELATED: Early morning storms leave Crystal River significantly damaged
As of 1:45 p.m. Thursday, the city says U.S. Highway 19 remains closed. A post on the city’s Facebook page states, “The reopening of U.S. 19 is dependent on the degree of flooding that may occur during high tide this afternoon.”
The city says U.S. Highway 44 also remains closed and may stay closed until Friday while Duke Energy makes major repairs. Paradise Point Road between U.S. 19 and Three Sisters Springs Trail also remains closed.
Leslie Garrison had just finished renovation from the flooding caused by a recent hurricane when a tornado cut a path of destruction through Pinwheel Drive. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Leslie Garrison takes a break from the overwhelming destruction. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Preliminary data indicates the tornado was an EF-2 which means wind speeds of 111-135 mph. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
More of the destruction on Pinwheel Drive. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Cars on Pinwheel Drive were damaged by downed trees and flying debris. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
No rest for the weary. Residents along Pinwheel Drive began boarding up the gaping holes in their homes as soon as the sun came up. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Businesses along US 19 were wiped out when a tornado cut a path of destruction through Crystal River. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Business signs along US 19 were no match for the EF-2 tornado’s winds. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
The Treasure Chest was among the US 19 businesses demolished during the early morning storm. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
The kayaks and work van from Crystal River Kayak and Dive Shop were tossed into the canal along US 19. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Don Markham shovels up debris at the Crystal River Kayak and Dive Shop. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
The storms twisting winds uprooted trees and knocked down power lines across Citrus County. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Businesses near Northeast 5th St. and 10th Avenue were in the path of destruction when the storm hit around 3 a.m. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Several roads remain closed in Crystal River including Three Sisters Springs Trail. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
